Adult Stem Cell Acquisition and Culture

The Reproductive Physiology and Genetics divisions of CRES are collaborating to develop a major new program in stem cell banking and utilization for the preservation of genetic resources. Two aged northern white rhinoceros females at the Wild Animal Park have not reproduced. As these females continue to age, the probability of collecting viable oocytes from their ovaries at necropsy dwindles to insignificance. Any realistic hope of rescuing the unique genetic complement of these animals lies in the laparoscopic removal of their ovaries. Harvested ovaries will be digested for retrieval of primordial, primary, and secondary follicles, and for the isolation of oogonial stem cells. A portion of the recovered stem cells will be cultured in vitro and encouraged to proliferate, others will be cryopreserved. Spermatogonial stem cells will be harvested routinely from testes collected at necropsy for development of cell culture and cryopreservation techniques.

Hair follicle stem cells are highly proliferative in culture, providing an abundant source of genetic material for testing, including breeding management and conservation genetics. There is some scientific evidence to suggest that it may be possible to harness the plasticity of hair follicle stem cells such that they could be directed into different cell types to be used for developmental biology studies or the treatment of disease. It is likely that blood feather stem cells will behave similarly in vitro. Development of stem cell identification, isolation, culture, and cryopreservation protocols will provide the means to save these cells for basic research and gamete production in vitro or following transplant to recipient animals. In addition, the non-invasive technique of stem cell harvest from hair follicles provides a rich source of DNA for research and bioresource banking.